… around the web

I find many interesting things around the web. While I share many of them through twitter as @creativeacorns and on my tumblr site, occasionally I gather them here.

I am a strong fan of style sheets for consistency. I’m still finalizing the little acorn creations writing style guide (which will bring consistency to my posts), and I rely on the style guide I developed for my knitting and crochet patterns. While I would love to help you create one for your own pattern writing needs, Cooperative Press offers guided worksheets to help knitters and crocheters to develop their own. They are also discussed in Kate Atherley‘s new book Pattern Writing for Knit Designers. Still not sure the benefit? Style guides are how NASA stays beautiful.

Knitters and crocheters love to make things for others, making is my default thank you (after writing a note). It was fun to join a group to make thank you gifts again this year for the awesome crew at Tom Bihn. They work hard to produce functional and well made bags and provide amazing customer service. They then surprised us (or at least me) with a beautiful followup post documenting all the gifts. May all the thank you gifts be enjoyed in health and happiness. We’re getting an early start next year, come join the Ravelry group to take part!

6 Questions For The White House’s Maker-In-Chief Stephanie Santoso. This initiative for increased making fascinates me, while I agree with the President that “[o]ur parents and our grandparents created the world’s largest economy and strongest middle class not by buying stuff, but by building stuff — by making stuff, by tinkering and inventing and building”, I grew up making and not buying. I’m both absolutely fascinated and perplexed by this new push to raise awareness; I think I’m happiest at how easy it is to find decent materials and that I’m no longer alone trying to make everything I can. I also appreciate Santoso’s definition of maker, “a maker is somebody who creates something with a certain set of skills. A maker could be somebody who is really passionate about sewing and embroidery or it could be someone with a love of carpentry.”

It wasn’t news to me, making is good for you. Baking is good for your mental health, according to this article, Therapists Now Encourage Cooking and Baking as Cures for Depression. There are many more reports coming out about the cognitive benefits to crafting. Are you surprised?

Do you want to make 2015 a #yearofmaking, but aren’t sure how exactly to start? Kim Werker can help you start with her new ebook. I’ve not spoken much about my participation in this project here and I keep neglecting to share my instagram posts to social media beyond my personal sites. It’s been an amazing year and helped me think more about everything I make. Please join me in 2015!